Poll: What region of the US would you most like to live in?

Good show, josh.. adding the AK/HI option. *nods*

I already live where I most like to live. The great state of Texas!
You just can't beat Texas, we've got all forms of flora/fauna and all types of climate (although some areas go between hot, godawful hot, and "I'm going to hell to cool off" hot), but the state as a whole has all ranges of climate.

Rich history and culture and one of the more diverse populaces (Germans, Czech, Latinos, Vietnamese, blacks, whites, and Indian (both kind)) of the states. No state income tax, relatively low sales taxes, and a CHL law. Woohoo!

all types of climate

Dunno about that... what's the last blizzard you had?
:)

The pan handle gets dumped on quite a bit. Two winters ago, Witchita Falls saw 18 inches of snow in a 12 hour period. While not quite the same as a New York Blizzard, it's still alot.

Well, unless you care about public education, the environment, immigration policy, or capital punishment I guess Texas is just fine. ;)

Hey, I care a lot about capital punishment.... what's wrong with texas' policy on that?
:)

hooo boy, Nate. IMO it's immoral, ineffective, outrageously expensive and unequally applied -- with particularly great gusto in TX. And I recall from many years back on the ng that you're in utter disagreement.

But that's a whole 'nother poll, now isn't it? :)

Heh.
Yeah, this isn't the time or place for THAT discussion.

;)

Actually, the death penalty is fairly equally applied here in Texas. If the charge is 1st or 2nd degree murder, or I believe aggravated manslaughter (i.e. someone is killed in the commision of a felony), then the death penalty counts. The jury has to answer two key questions, and I can't remember them right now, but it amount to answering whether or not someone convicted of a capital crime is a threat to society and likely if released to commit further crimes.

I am against the death penalty however since it does not allow for reparation if you screw up and kill the wrong person and the fact I don't like the idea of the government having that much power.

Okay, let's take this one at a time.

Public Education - We have our problems, mostly spurred by the stupid TAAS test and other equivalency type tests. If the state government didn't mandate all those stupid tests and tie it to school funding the children might actually LEARN something other than what's on the test. (Oh and last year two high school students proved that three of the questions on the science test were WRONG.)

The Environment - Everyone says this, and outside of Houston, Texas is very beautiful. Before ANYONE bitches about the environment in Texas, I challenge them to VISIT East Texas and the Hill Country first. Houston is an exception, but given it's the third largest city in the U.S., it does just about as good as the other huge cities. Believe it or not (and again, you actually have to visit or live in Texas to see this) there is a very strong naturalist movement in Texas.

Immigration Policy - And how is this Texas' problem? Last I checked immigration was done by the federal government. We don't have any problems that other states on the border with large cities don't. I'd actually say California has a bigger problem. And if they'd just allow ranchers on the border to SHOOT illegals crossing the border, it'd take care of itself. :) That's a joke.

Capital Punishment - I agree here. I'm against capital punishment outside confirmed sociopaths and high treason. Never said Texas was perfect though.

Schools: heh. And our problems here in eastern PA come from the No Child Left Behind federal standards, which essentially mean leaving entire schools behind if they're largely populated with a bunch of newly-immigrant kids who can't possibly meet those standards after they've been here for oh, maybe 5 months. So I guess we might share the position that government standards have to take into account local realities -- without waffling on the concept that public schools should be an instrument of teaching and not dogmatic indoctrination.

Environment: I was thinking more of rampant degradation thereof. Brownsville. Houston. Dallas. Oil fields. High-water-use ranching in dry country. Of course many parts of TX are beautiful -- but how long will it continue to be so? How long will the air be breathable and the water drinkable if high-consumption, high-pollution practices are not modified? Good to hear there's an environmental movement; I hope it has some political and economic clout against the businessmen and anti-environmentalists in the legislature.

Immigration: True that AZ, NM, and CA have the same problems. Doesn't negate the fact that there's a problem. And while immigration policy is federal, hostility toward "illegals" of the non-criminal variety -- or crass economic exploitation of undocumented labour -- doesn't originate with the feds.

Houston is a cesspool, no doubt about it (especially if you've ever been down wind from some of the oil refineries in Texas City). Dallas? What's wrong with Dallas? Other than pollution problems which come with any major city with lots of highways, Dallas is not polluted nor degrading. I know, I live in the DFW area.

Oil Fields - what's wrong with those? Have you ever BEEN to an oil field in Texas? Most of them are rotary pumps and are out in WEST Texas where there is nothing but desert anyways. Don't see how that's affecting the environment.

Other than ranching in the Pan Handle, there really isn't too much "high water use ranching in dry country". Perhaps around San Antonio in the Hill Country, but there are very strict regulations put on water use so the aquafier doesn't get depleted.

I don't see the problems outside of the Houston area being anything that other states with large cities aren't dealing with.

Oh, did you know that the air pollution in Los Angeles would be cut down over half if all the roofs were done with a white color?

Also, and this might be use of a new thread: I hate that term "environmentalist" because it has been co-opted by nut-case tree huggers and fruit loops like Earth First. Most "environmentalists" tend to be anti-capitalist, anti-industry, and illogical. Naturalists on the other hand see no reason why business and industry and the environment can't get along.

Outside major cities, there isn't really that big of a deal with the environmental condition of Texas.

What's wrong with Dallas?

the Cowboys. :)

Touche! ;-)

i'd rather see if that manifest destiny thing is going to work out, i'll stay in canada, thanks ;)

I believe the response you're looking for is "I don't live in the US, you insensitive clod." :)

exactement. thank you jaci

Actually, the question is theoretical. As in, "Assuming you were going to live in the US, what region would you most like to live in?"

Saying you don't want to live in the US is irrelevant.

:)

it's totally relevant to me ;)

keep your damn country, i'll wait until it comes to me, sotospeak. (read: i'll wait until the usa is a bit more honest externally about it's plan for world domination, i'll wait for the blitzkreig in new brunswick...)

Heh.
While I definitely appreciate your sentiment... I think you missed the point.

;)

wull, it is a problem with the poll.

which area of botswana would you most like to live in?

Not sure, what are my options?

I'd like to live in the undespoiled part that's free of wildlife poachers, poverty, famine, epidemic, exploitation,�and man-eating bugs.� Yeah.�

north, south, east, west, central.

:)

Uh, as if that'd even be worth making a poll about. Everybody knows west Botswana is where it's at.

honestly, i can't think of any place i'd like to live in the states, though. it's all equally ass. it's not the physical location that i object to, it's being part of the "rogue nation" that offends me.

if I'm going to stay anywhere then I'd like to live in canada as a canadian for as long as it's possible. if I have to live in the states then it will be because the usa has conquered canada (explicitly), and then i'll be happy to live where i live.

It doesn't offend me to live here, because I can still fight against the rogue nation policies -- and know I'm far from alone, that millions of other people are also working in large ways and small to end the bad behaviour.

It does frighten me though, because the current regime willfully continues to set us all up for a karmic asskicking.

Yep.
We need another country to come in and give US a regime change!
:D

I dun wanna wait till the next election!

I think so, and then we can have UN peacekeepers until we manage to hold new elections, also carefully monitored by the UN.� :D�

I'm all for it!

It doesn't bother me to live here either. We have the right to dissent when we think it's wrong and make it right.

My objections in Iraq are not about what we did but why and how we did it.

I think it's funny that you mention Iraq. Personally, when I'm ranting about the USA it's usually not as a commentary on Iraq. The situation in Iraq is a methaphorical drop in a bucket.

seems to me you've been reading William Blum. or should be. :)

oh, and happy birthday.

but it doesn't say that.
it can be interpreted to say that, but need not neccessarily.

it asks. What region of the US would you most like to live in?
and an appropriate answer would/could be, I just plain wouldn't.

Yes, well, you were SUPPOSED to read my mind.

Duh.
;)

Heh.

See spot.
See spot run.

;)

I know. Those Americans assume everyone wants to live there.

Those canadians, always making gross generalizations.
;)

yah.

no generalizations.

it's that american, nate, who assumes that everyone wants to live in the US.

bastid. ;D

*pout*

Renita!
I'm hurt.
*sniffle*

alas.

I meant no harm.

I'm just ALL about the specificity.

and really I made this post for the sole reason of using the word, specificity.

no... i've only made a couple so far, certainly not 144 ;)

*laughs in spite of himself*
Damn youuuuu!

:D

I'd like to live in that really big state that makes up about the top half of the country.� What's it called again?� Oh yeah...Canada.� That's a good state.� :P

It's really still under debate wether or not we're going to accept canada's statehood, I think.

Let me know if you do, eh?� So I know what country to put on my return address.

Will do!
In the mean time, you can keep putting "Pretty much USA".

;)

Hee hee...yeah, will do.� :)

I'll put that if you put, "Pretty much Canada" on yours ;D

I thought that was 3 states?� Northern Republicanland, Northern Vermont, and Northern Louisiana, a/k/a That Weird Place That Sometimes Speaks French?

I'd really love to relocate to�Northern Vermont or That Weird Place, although I voted Southwest.� (Specifically thinking of NE Arizona.)�

I like living here too.

Wow..as of this writing, no one chose the Southeast.� I'm surprised no one wants to live in that region...I mean, you have Florida over there among other states�with its lovely beaches and evil empires.� But then again, I would find it too hot and humid down there, which is why I ended up choosing the Pacific Northwest for its normally cooler temperatures and supposed lush greeness.� Oh well.

Ew.
Florida.

I dunno about "Ew. Florida"

if the keys are good enough for Spider Robinson to write about cool people living there. they can't be all bad.

But I haven't been there, so I can't really say.

Florida is icky.

I dunno. Florida is almost separate from the rest of the southeast, which I'd consider to be NC, SC, and GA. Florida isn't even close to similar to those.

also, what about the rest of the south, which isn't even on here? Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana... and the states that aren't the midwest but also aren't the west coast, like those that the Rocky Mountains run through?

With only so many choices in a poll, you have to divide the country into those sections the best way.

I'd include KY, TN, MS, AL, and LA along with NC, SC, GA, and FL.� But you're right, FL, at least Florida from Orlando and points south, is a completely different region.� Northern Florida is just like the rest of the southeast.

This excludes Greenville, SC, which seems to be a new migration point for people, namely my family.

You would have to include two more sections though.� Great Plains (ND, SC, NE, KS, OK, TX) and the Rocky Mountains (MT, ID, CO, WY).� but like I said, not enough options.

True, Florida is in its own world, but geographically (and for NCAA conference purposes), I would lump it with the Southeast.

I do have relatives down in Mississippi and�visited during the summers as kid and that would be the last place I would want to live in...next to�Florida.�� MS is hot, sticky, and icky.

With no economy to speak of, the dubious status of the most impoverished state in the union, and a dreadful civil-liberties record. Ah, Mississippi ... America's own little rural third world.

Unless I'm joining the Peace Corps or planning a long sojourn with Habitat for Humanity, I'll avoid the entire Tobacco Road/cottonpickin' region, thank you.

Have you ever BEEN to Mississippi?

Can't think of a reason I'd go there. I don't gamble. I don't build naval ships. I don't do humidity, so I'd do volunteer work almost anywhere else. So ... um ....

Nope. No reason at all to go there.

Reason one. It is the only state that has a song that tells you how to spell it.

Reason two; Robert Johnson was from Mississippi.

roB! is from Mississippi???

I was wondering about that myself. Who knew?

So, in otherwords, you know nothing about the state other than what you've read about it. Mississippi actually has some very beautiful areas, and while the civil rights past is pretty horrible, their present isn't as bad as alot of people make it out to be.

Heard about, read, seen pictures, talked to family who've been there and confirmed the impressions ...

Of course it has beautiful areas. You can say that about anywhere. We're not talking simply about natural beauty here -- we're talking about whether we do (or do not) want to live in a particular area. And yes, first- and second-hand impressions of economic equality, quality of life, culture, education opportunities, sociopolitical climate, summer weather, environmental health and rural or urban character all play into that, at least for me. Your factors and preferences may vary.

I guess, having only spent time in 26 states, 4 provinces, and a couple of Baja tourist joints, I'm not really qualified to consider where I'd want to live -- or not -- on this big ol' continent. But let's just say that going on weather factors alone, I have eliminated from any consideration: SC, GA, FL (except the Keys), AL, MS, LA, OK, TX, and NV. I've also eliminated most major cities because of sprawl and smog. Never mind that I live near one; this is a daydream -- and my daydream ideal hometown immerses me neither in breath-sucking humidity nor tear-inducing smog.

> Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana...

Those were omitted for the same reason that I'd leave out the "deep-fried sewer residue" from a "favorite foods" poll.

*ducks*

heeeee!

People here are too young to move to Florida. :)

I wouldn't mind Alabama or Tennessee though.

How about: all of the above?

������ I picked Midwest, because I'll still young enough to enjoy it.� From a road travel standpoint, Missouri and Illinois are the two best places to live (Indiana and Ohio are close)... but that's not really a good set of criteria to use.� I like that the midwest (or mideast, as I like to think of it) has a fairly good balance of youth and experience.� As an example, Chicago is a great city in that it feels young and alive, but also has a great sense of success and accomplishment.� Except for their sports teams. :-)� I plan to relocate to Chicago in the next year or so.

��� �� I was raised in California, but was too young to enjoy its eccentricity.� California, to me, is a nice place to visit.� Same goes for Florida.� The south, while I love the sense of history and tradition, is out for those very reasons.� The Pacific Northwest is beautiful and magical in its own way; I'd like to spend my middle years in Seattle.� The Northeast is pleasant, but very full of itself.� It has a pretentious feel that I'd like to avoid until I develop my own pretensions (although, some would say I already have them).� I plan to retire to New England.

������ Thanks for reading my mind... this is a great poll.

Hey now, we new englanders are only seen as pretentious because we're better than the rest of the country!

It's not OUR fault.
;)

I should have had the second post but it was eaten.

oO Everyone's your friend in New York City Oo

yay! CUB!

PNW.

all the way.

for the rest of my life. :D

the rest of the non-believers can stay away and help keep our housing costs from rising any more.� californians are no longer allowed here. (:

�-= george =-

well d00d.

you bought a HOUSE there.

I think that's pretty much laying down roots. yo.

Nowhere in the US dammit. I love Canada, Ontario, and my city, and i think I'll stay :)

jen

The regions aren't mutually exclusive.

New York is in the Northeast and is a mid-atlantic state
actually all the mid-atlantic states could be considered the Northeast. The only questionable ones would be MD and DE.

All the New England states are in the Northeast too.

The Pacific Northwest is also on the west coast.

Yes, well, "new england" and "the northeast" are two VERY different things.

But thanks for the insult. :P

No it is the extreme northeast. You cant get further northeast and stay in the US.

What states would you consider Northeast? You could have left Northeast out and had New England and Mid-Atlantic.

"northeast" includes NY. "new england" doesn't.

It's a VERY important distinction.

quite true. If regions all called themselves by colonialist intentions, as New England persists in doing, NY would be New Netherlands.

There's a bonus to this, Gordon. If you were a New Englander, instead of being a Knicks fan you'd be cheering for the ... Trousers? *shudders*

(I'm from New Sweden myself. Skol, ja.)

and maybe a stop in southern oregon.

sometimes...


if you're really really lucky.

Hawaii.

I've always had this notion that the right city/state/region will be instantly recognizable, but I haven't found it yet and could use some ideas. How about any place with rural liberals? clean air, a good library, a newspaper not owned by Gannett, and a decent school system? Cold weather is okay, as is moderate (read: probably not Texan) heat, but I'm not fond of rampant cockroaches or killer bees. Feel free to nominate your hometown.

Sounds like a midsize town in Maine or Iowa to me. Or ... how about Madison, Wisconsin?

Ithaca, NY. small, very friendly town, active arts and music scene, don't know about the schools or librarys i've only been there for vacation but it is close to Cornel university. it's in the finger lake region in the eastern part of the state so it gets quite cold in the winter but prety warm in the summer (like high 80's low 90's). you can also get real estate there pretty cheap and belive me there is TONS of real estate to be had.

Yeah, Ithaca is a cool town.
*nods*
That's where most of my mom's side of the family is.

Yay Ithaca!� Ithaca is a great town.���Not only is it friendly and has�a very�active music, theater, and arts scene (complemented by both Cornell University and Ithaca College), but they have some very good restaurants up�there (it's home of Moosewood among others).� There are a slew of social services in the town and its a fairly liberal minded community.� Ithaca�prints its own�currency to support the�local economy.� Plus,�drive a little bit out of town and you have lots of hiking trails, gorges�and neat waterfalls. �Winters can get blistery cold and trekking up hills on ice can be a chore, but summers are very pleasant for the most part and allow you to enjoy the beauty that Ithaca has to offer. I definitely learned to appreciate the town�more when I spent summers there while a student at Cornell.�

Vermont!� Vermontvermontvermont!� :)

Amen!
*high fives becca*

I like it here in southwestern BC so I guess I would have to say the Pacific Northwest.

If we are talking places I've never seen but sound fun then I would like to try St.Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Can you say freeport? Can you say 26er of local rum for about $3.00? We are allowed to ignore practical considerations like the chances of getting a job and such right? I'd like to try Hawaii too.

This is slightly unrelated, but I think that Cuba should become the 14th Canadian province/territory.� Then I'd move there.� :)

I want to live in Summer Bay

guam dude!

F**k You! I'm going to Guam! :)

How about the US base at the South Poll? It is the easiest place to give directions from. Wherever the person is going just tell them head due North.